The federal government of Nigeria has set up a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. This move follows President Bola Tinubu's directive for a full and transparent investigation into the deaths. The committee's establishment was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Saturday.
The suspected illegal miners were arrested during NSCDC operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna. According to the NSCDC Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease. The incident led to the suspension of Aniviye and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the deaths as deeply disturbing and emphasized that the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident. He directed the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the independent committee's investigation. The committee will investigate the arrests, detention, and cause of death of the suspects.
The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths. The committee will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee comprises members from various backgrounds, including retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Karma; Olayinka Buhari, former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; and representatives from the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government. Other members include Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, George Agbakahi.
The Minister of Interior has directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and ordered the preservation and release of all records and material evidence connected to the incident. He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence. The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report.
The committee has been empowered to co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident, and request memoranda from members of the public. With this, the committee is expected to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the incident. The government has assured that it will take necessary actions based on the committee's findings to ensure justice and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The federal government sets up a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by NSCDC in Minna, Niger State.
- The committee will establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrests, detention, and cause of death, and recommend appropriate action.
- The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report.
